Family of backpacker found dead after 23-year mystery break their silence – and dismiss key theory about how she died

The family of Kellie Ann Carmichael have broken their silence after the backpacker’s remains were found in the Blue Mountains, 23 years after she disappeared.

Ms Carmichael was 24 when she checked out of a hostel in Katoomba, west of Sydneyon April 29, 2001.

She told the staff she would pick up her things after a walk, but she was never seen again.

In a dramatic update decades later, bones were discovered by N.S.W Last week it was confirmed that the police force in Katoomba is her property.

Kellie Ann Carmichael, 24, checked out of a hostel in Katoomba in the Blue Mountains on April 29, 2001

She told the staff she would pick up her things after a walk, but she was never seen again

Ms Carmichael’s parents, who live in Geelong, have always believed their daughter may have been murdered.

They were informed of the discovery by officers from the Unsolved Homicide Team.

Her mother, Margaret Carmichael, said their daughter would never have committed suicide.

“We know that, and everyone who knew her knows that,” she told the newspaper Geelong Advertiser.

‘She wasn’t doing well at the time, but she loved life and was a beautiful girl.’

Her father, John, said the grim developments had taken their toll on the couple, who now hope to take her remains home.

Her cousin, Andrew Carmichael, said the news came as a complete shock and he had endless questions about what happened.

Peter Vandenberg, 51, said her group of friends were absolutely stunned by the news and said they wanted answers because her mysterious death never left them.

Another school friend said she hopes the family gets answers.

A post-mortem examination will now try to determine how Mrs Carmichael died.

The discovery only happened by chance after an officer abseiled down a cliff as part of an unrelated search in late April and discovered the bones in bushland.

Police returned to the same site in May and found more remains.

Bones discovered by NSW Police in Katoomba last week have been confirmed as those of Ms Carmichael (pictured below right)

The parents of Ms Carmichael (pictured), who live in Geelong, Victoria, have always believed their daughter could have been murdered

Ms Carmichael’s parents reported her missing after not hearing from her for six days.

Her case captivated the nation and resulted in many theories surrounding her disappearance, including whether she had been the victim of a serial killer.

But a police investigation concluded that she had committed suicide because she suffered from schizophrenia.

In 2011, the NSW government offered a $200.00 reward for information about her disappearance.

“I feel like we have been robbed of having our daughter and grandchildren,” Ms. Carmichael told reporters at the time.

“We never had the chance to have our daughter… our family was never the same.”

Mrs. Carmichael was the youngest of three siblings and would have been 47.

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